Politics & Government

Commissioners Vote To Bring Villa Portofino Into Compliance

Residents of nearby developments could see some change on the property soon.

Villa Portofino’s neighbors could see some relief from issues that have plagued the area since construction on the upscale senior housing development began 11 years ago thanks to a vote from the Palm Desert Planning Commission on Tuesday.

In a 3-0 vote, commissioners directed the development’s three property owners to come up a work program that will bring Villa Portofino into compliance with city code.

Commissioners Nancy DeLuna and Van Tanner recused themselves from the vote because of a conflict.

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Palm Desert-based Family Development closed escrow June 10 with City National Bank on the property, which fell into foreclosure in 2008. Parts of Villa Portofino, which is designed to serve residents aged 55 years and older, are also owned by JJL Property and Country Club Drive Investors.

Commissioners directed the city’s staff to work with the three owners to come up with the work program and amend the project’s development agreement to include who will pay for improvements on Portola Avenue.

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Neighbors of the Villa Portofino senior housing development expressed some frustration outside of the meeting, mostly because they were hopeful the details of the program would have been worked out by now.

“How long is this going to take?” said Gail Christiansen, who lives in the neighboring Casablanca development. “We are now 11 years into this development with 11 years of issues.”

Christiansen, who is now considering moving because of Villa Portofino’s problems, has been working for two years trying to resolve code compliance issues that the previous developer, Michael LaMelza, left behind.

“There have been so many mistakes with this development,’’ said Christiansen, who is the president of the Home Owners Association at Casablanca.

Christiansen said LaMelza graded the land so that the foundations of the proposed homes were level with the top of Casablanca’s wall – spawning a whole list of problems.

The Casablanca HOA hired an independent engineer to inspect the wall, which was damaged during the grading and subsequent clearing of shrubs.

She claims the lack of security at Villa Portofino and the raised elevation of the land have made it easy for robbers and burglars to get inside. Blowing sand from the undeveloped parcels has also been a nuisance, she said.

City Attorney Dave Erwin previously said that the city has made a note of the illegal grading. He noted the project is private property and the city is limited in what it can do.

There are plans to add about 300 new residences to the current 72 at Villa Portofino, according to Rudy Herrera, of Family Development.

Villa Portofino is on more than 50 acres on Country Club Drive, just west of Portola Avenue. It includes a 30,000-square foot clubhouse, Herrera said, adding that work is expected to begin soon on the 48 incomplete homes.


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